The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

Two of the greatest challenges facing rural communities in the forests of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade regions are the looming threat of wildfire and the need for good jobs. Last month, we announced a partnership effort that will be a tremendous help on both fronts – a $21.5 million project to train and place forestry and fire-safety professionals in those communities.

Even with risks of disastrous fire increasing due to drought and climate change, California simply does not have enough skilled workers to protect and rebuild rural communities. One recent assessment forecasts shortages of 6,000 fire managers, 4,000 conservation scientists and foresters, 7,000 loggers and 1,500 utility line clearance technicians.

To help fill that critical gap, we are working with the Foundation for California Community Colleges (specifically Butte College, Feather River College, Lake Tahoe Community College, Reedley College and Shasta College), California State University Chico and the Sierra Business Council to recruit and train local residents in these sectors. The project was awarded one of 32 grants from the $500 million Good Jobs Challenge, administered by the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration.

I am especially excited about this project because it not only addresses major needs for wildfire preparation, but also promises to deliver economic growth and recovery to many rural communities. By leveraging the training expertise of the partners and collaborating with Hispanic-serving institutions and Indigenous-led organizations, the project will bring well-paying jobs and career development opportunities to more people, while growing the diversity of the forestry and fire-safety workforce.

Strengthening community and ecosystem resilience is also a driving principle of the 2022 California Naturalist Conference, on Oct. 7–9 along the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. Celebrating its 10th year, the UC California Naturalist Program – a statewide program of UC ANR – works with partner organizations to train and certify Naturalists and Climate Stewards, who explore the state’s unique ecosystems and engage the public in learning about and advancing environmental stewardship and climate resilience.

Under the theme of “Celebrating Community, Nature and Resilience for a Just Future,” the conference features workshops, field trips and presentations by Wade Crowfoot, California’s secretary for natural resources; José González, founder of Latino Outdoors; Rhiana Jones, director of the Washoe Environmental Protection Department; Obi Kaufmann, celebrated author and artist; and Adina Merenlender, professor of Cooperative Extension in Conservation Science and founding director of the California Naturalist Program.

Through an equity-based registration fee structure and an emphasis on empowering diverse voices and perspectives, organizers are striving to ensure the conference is accessible and welcoming for all. I strongly encourage California Naturalists, Climate Stewards, course instructors, ANR academics and educators, and any community member with an interest in building a more equitable, resilient and sustainable future to register today to take advantage of the early-bird rate.

Planning for another much-anticipated gathering has begun in earnest. The 2023 UC ANR statewide conference will be held in Fresno on April 24–27. For the first time since 2018, ANR academics and staff from across the state will gather to share best practices on how to elevate and amplify their research, extension and education efforts.

The conference is also the official kickoff to our 2025-2040 visioning process and I’m looking forward to collaborating with all of you as we identify the challenges facing California and guide how we can best address them over the next 15 years. And, after the last couple years of COVID isolation, I can’t wait to greet and thank our colleagues, old and new, who make a difference every day in improving the lives of Californians.